While I lay awake waiting for the clock to change to 12:01 so I can go retrieve my reserved book "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows". I wonder if there are other baseball fans like myself who enjoy reading the Harry Potter books.
I am currently trying to finish up on the CD book for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. So I can see it at the IMAX/3D theatre.
I am on a mission to get Dan Haren to autograph his jersey tonight. That is the giveaway for tonight's game against the Texas Rangers. 
I am sitting with the Oakland A's Booster group but will by myself. Atleast my boss/friend and her family will be there but in different seats.
Two Oakland Athletics players will be signing autographs for all Oakland Athletics fans.
Join Nick Swisher and teammates for the 1st Nick Swisher Celebrity Bash on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Pyramid Alehouse & Restaurant in Berkeley. The event will introduce Swisher’s new non-profit foundation, "Swish's Wish's" designed to help children in need — and we'll be raising funds to donate to Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland.
Come meet A's players Nick Swisher and Marco Scutaro during lunch hour on Friday, July 20 at City Center Plaza in downtown Oakland. Nick and Marco will sign autographs and meet with A's fans courtesy of City Center Dental Spa, the Official Dentist of the Oakland A's.
At the FANFEST store, I had noticed this black feltboard with pins all over it. I walked by a couple of times to check it out but wasn't sure at first what it was. So I asked the lady that was standing near. She told me that I could take a pin if I replaced it with one of mine.
Many years ago when my folks and I went to Chicago for a Rotary Convention. I remember going around to all the people and trading pins with them. I must've collected at least a 100 pins from the convention.
"Pins have long been a part of Baseball. They are now used to commemorate the start of the MLB season, new arenas, milestones, players, the playoffs and the World Series. For collectors, pins represent the memory of that event and, in many cases, the intrinsic value, which increases over the years.
Starting July 6, 2007 the Oakland Athletics will begin the Pin Trading Center located inside D Gate. At the Pin Trading Center we honor the long tradition of Pin Trading in Baseball.
Rules of Pin Trading:
I gave my tickets to the FANFEST to my folks so they could go check it out. They thought it was cool that I was picked to volunteer at the Fanfest. I was so excited to be part of it. My 1st shift was on Friday night (7-6-07) from 6-11 pm. The fanfest shut down at 6 pm but there was a private party from 7-11pm. I was led over to my station the Video Batting Cages. Unfortunately that is the only thing I didn't get a chance to do when I wasn't working. I was already tired but I was trying to get people to play the video batting cages.
There were A LOT of guys wanting to hit but no girls. Whenever I saw girls walk by sneaking a peak. I encouraged them to go for it! A couple of them to the bait. They went for it and thanked me for pushing them to try it.
At the Video Batting Cages, you got to choose who you wanted the pitcher to be. There were many choices to chose from like: Roger Clemens,Barry Zito, Dontrelle Wills,Randy Johnson and many others. It was definitely an exciting evening. I went straight to bed as soon as I got home. Especially since I was going to the Beer Festival at the Oakland A's game the following morning.
My boss/friend,her husband,their daughter and I went to the FANFEST on Sunday together after I went to the A's game to get my "Stomper" giveaway. I guess I didn't need to go over there so early since my folks got the "Stomper" too. Now I have 3 of them.
I stood in line for an hour and half to get my picture taken at the USA Today Cover shot. I will scan all the pictures that I took while I was there.
My 2nd shift wasn't until Monday (7-9-07) this time I'd be working at the Homerun Derby. Now that was fun,too. AlthoughI couldn't stay very long I had another awesome day! I took BART over to San Francisco right after my morning job and checked the place out myself since I didn't get to do everything I wanted to do on Sunday. I got there at 945 am and the doors opened up at 9 am. I took the elevator to the 3rd level so I could get in line to make my very own "Trading Card". I will scan those too.
Here is what I had done on Monday:
2-Trading Cards
1- picture of me on the "Wheaties" box
3-pictures of me on the USA Today cover shot
While I was waiting for my USA Today cover shot photo to be printed out. A man walked up to me and asked if I was an A's fan. I said yes! Of course, I don't know why people would be asking me this since I was wearing my "Swisher" jersey, my A's lanyard with all my A's pins,A's hat,A's earrings,necklace and bracelet.*hint sarcasism* He gave me an A's license plate frame! I thanked him and went on to the next booth.
I had my face painted,signed up to win A's baseballs and a base from the Oakland Athletics. I must've signed up atleast 20 times. I for sure thought I'd win. They might've as well just handed them over to me right then and there. *wink* I left around 4 pm that day. I was dead tired from having to get up at 3 am to be at work for my Fitness job that morning. But it was another fun filled day for me.
I just got done watching the movie "Commando" with the Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger and MLBlogger Alyssa Milano. It seems like it was just yesterday that it came out.
Commando "Dodger Blue"
While I was searching for a baseball blog template for my other blog. I came across Nick Swisher's personal website. The site is designed by "Walk Design". The same company that designed "Barry Zito's Strikeouts for Troops".
Yeah! Now all the lovesick baseball girls like myself can save "Nicky's" website in their favorites. Girls the wait is over! He has an official website.
I found Nick Swishers website and this is what he looked like before his dad cut his hair: Silly Nick.
I got my face painted at the All Star Fanfest. This one is a baseball with the letter A's on it with green and gold flames.
Here I am holding the autographed picture of Alyssa Milano. This is the one she signed for me and all her other fans on July 10th at the All Star Fanfest. Thank you,Alyssa! I can't wait for your jewelry line to come out.
These signs were all around the City of San Francisco.
All Star Fanfest logo on Moscone West
The MLB Logo
Fans could stand in line to get there picture taken in their favorite team jersey with the backdrop of the San Francisco Giants Stadium and the All Star Game logo. I took two of these and will scan them to show you.
Just showing all the angles of the level.
The Diamond was on the 2nd level of the Moscone West. This is where a lot of the former baseball stars like Cal Ripken Jr and Billy Ripken taught kids how to bat and throw.
Kids having fun!
Rickey Henderson has been hired on by the NY Mets as their Hitting Coach. I am so excited for him but sad at the same time. Because I was hoping to see his number be retired with the Oakland Athletics.
Congratulations,Rickey!
Good Luck from your MOST DEVOTED A'S FAN
I am going to be entering myself in Aylssa Milano's Sweepstakes as many times as possible. I want to meet her again and get a chance to goto a Dodgers Baseball game. 
The Official Site of Major League Baseball: fan_forum: Alyssa Milano Ultimate Fan Sweepstakes
I absolutely love her new clothing line *TOUCH* and I can't wait for hew new jewerly line called " TOUCH FASHION JEWELRY " to come out.
Just because I love to wear my favorite logo Oakland Athletics. Wearing the Oakland Athletics clothing line doesn't just stop there. I can keep score and catch a baseball! I collect everything Oakland Athletics. I also go to Spring Training in Arizona every year and I am a member of the Oakland A's Boosters Club.
Alyssa Milano at the All Star Fanfest promoting her new clothing line *Touch*. And her new jewerly line. I had to take this picture really fast before the security stopped me. She smiled for me! Thank you,Alyssa!
Jerseys
Damn.... my head is to small for my body!
These guys were running around the 2nd level of the Fanfest. I had to get my picture taken with them.
Today I got an autographed picture of Alyssa Milano at the All Star Fanfest. I was the first one in line today for the autograph session since I missed my chance yesterday.
I stood in line for 2 hours to get a chance to see her and to take a quick picture of her. The crowd wasn't as big as it had been yesterday. Atleast from my stand point. The security wasn't allowing people to take pictures since that would slow up from her signing but I managed to take a picture or two before the security stopped me.
When Ms Milano waved me over I told her that I had a blog on MLBlogs.com. I told her the name of it so we shall see if she will check it out. I will post it on her blog,too.
Thank you,Alyssa for my autographed picture of you! I love your new clothing line especially the Oakland Athletics logo. I've already bought two of them! I look forward to seeing your jewerly line come out. Good Luck!
Check out my All Star Fanfest Album for pictures of her and my 3 days spent as a volunteer and a spectator at the Fanfest.
Jenny aka Die Hard Athletics Fan
I've uploaded some more photos from the All Star Fanfest taken on Friday night. I will share all about my night there later on.
I will be working a private party tonight from 7-11pm at the All Star Fanfest at the Moscone West. My shift starts at 6pm and then at 7 the private party will start. The post I will be at is on the 2nd level (Video Batting Cages). The volunteers are wearing gold/yellow shirts.
I tried to sleep a couple more hours before I get ready to leave but I am too nervous and too excited about my first shift! Baseball is my life and my livelyhood! If there was no baseball I don't know what sport I'd go crazy for!
Green and Gold is in my blood. I hope when I have kids I will pass on the tradition of going to baseball games and watching the Oakland Athletics (or whatever their new name will be).
So I will try to send posts via my cell to my weblog and I will post my pictures and detailed posts when I get home.
Tomorrow night will be my 1st shift at the All Star Fanfest. I will be working from 6-11pm on Friday. The hours for the fanfest are from 8-6pm but at 7-11pm there willl be a private party. So I won't get home until really late and then I have an A's game on Saturday. I am going to need a lot of sleep tomorrow before my shift and then after the A's game.
This week/end will be busy for me but atleast I will have a fun time,too! I will post and take pictures of everything to goes on.
This is where I was my first night of volunteering for the All Star Fanfest.
Here are all the volunteers lining up to go up on the esculator to their assigned sections.
He we are going up the esculator to the 2nd level of the Moscone West Center. See all the people behind me were in the Zone 4 group.
All*Star Fanfest Week 2007 logo on the outside windows of the Moscone West
All*Star Fanfest Week 2007 logo
All Star Fanfest @ the Moscone West in San Francisco
All Star Fanfest Week
I was walking down 4th street to Moscone South Center for the meeting and I saw Moscone West with the signs up. This is where the All Star Fanfest Week will take place from July 6-10th.
This was a sign for the All Star Week on a building across from where I was eating my dinner this evening.
I arrived at the Moscone South Center in San Francisco at 530pm. I checked in at the line with I-L to get my information packet,fanny pack,two tickets to the All Star Fanfest and my 2007 MVP Volunteer id.When I report to my first shift I will be given my yellow (limited edition) polo shirt,red hat and a landyard for my tag. Once you see the yellow polo shirts you will understand why they are a limited edition. LOL! Because you wouldn't want to be caught dead in them again. Just kidding! 
I was directed to a room where we got to watch the All Star Bloopers. It was hilarious to see what the baseball players,coaches and fans were doing.
After the All Star staff introduced themselves and gave a brief introduction about themselves. We were paired up with our Zone Manager and Attraction Managers to take a tour of the Moscone West where the All Star Fanfest Week would take place.
The zone I was in had the largest amount of volunteers. We got to tour the level that we would be working on. I took pictures so be sure to check out the album labeled "All Star Week 2007".
After checking out Alyssa's new line *touch*. I will soon be purchasing this 
You can buy your own here.
Thank you,Alyssa!
From another Die Hard Baseball Fan...
Tonight at 6-8pm is the meeting at the Moscone Center for the All Star Fanfest. I will find out where I will be,what I will be doing and how many hours/days I am needed to work. Hopefully, there will be one day for me to attend the fanfest too.
The closer it gets the more excited I am! 
I will post pictures when I get home tonight. Stay tuned...
I saw on my friend's myspace that she was going to be volunteering for the All Star Fanfest. So I asked her if there was still time. She said she wasn't sure but she'd let me know if there was. So a couple of days past before we saw each other again even though we work in the same place. She told me that the S.F. Giants would be holding another interview session for anyone who wanted to volunteer. So of course, I went to the interview. I got there at around 545 pm enough time for the doors to open up at 6 pm. I filled out a form,then we were lead down to the seats behind the away teams dugout. There must've been about 40-50 people there. After the people in charge of the fanfest introduced themselves they asked about 5 trivia questions. Non of which I knew since I am NOT a Giants fan! If they were A's trivia questions I could've easily answered them. Whoever got the questions correct were given a goodie bag. Don't ask me what they got! What would an A's fan want with that stuff anyways.
So after their little speech we went back to the room where we first started at and got in line with the letter of the initals for our last name. I stood in the I-L line until it was my turn for my mini-interview. They only asked a couple of questions:
I was told I would find out in a couple of weeks. I got my letter on June 27,2007.
Needless to say, I am looking forward to the All Star Fanfest Week. I will share more tomorrow when I find out where I will be. Stay tuned....
That's right you heard it first from here. Tomorrow I will be taking BART to "I Lost My Heart in San Francisco" to find out where I will be volunteering for the All Star Fanfest Week. Last week, I recieved an email and a letter in the mail stating that I was called to be a volunteer for the All Star Fanfest. Below is the email I was sent.
Dear DHL® All-Star FanFest Volunteer, Congratulations on being accepted to the 2007 DHL All-Star FanFest Volunteer Team! On behalf of Major League Baseball, the San Francisco Giants and the City of San Francisco, we would like to thank you for your interest in volunteering. Please note: Although some of you may have initially applied as a City of San Francisco Ambassador, we believe your avid baseball knowledge and welcoming personality will make you a perfect addition to our volunteer team at DHL All-Star FanFest! You will be required to attend one of two mandatory orientations listed below (RSVP not required): Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.ORThursday, July 5, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. Orientation will be at the Moscone South Convention Center located at Howard Street (between 3rd and 4th Streets). Doors will open 20 minutes prior to the start of the session. Please bring this email with you as confirmation of your acceptance. Moscone South Convention CenterRoom 103, Level 100,747 Howard Street, SF.
During this two (2) hour orientation you will: Receive your Volunteer Stat Sheet that will detail your volunteer assignment Meet the DHL All-Star FanFest management team, including your Zone & Attraction Manager After you report to your first shift at DHL All-Star FanFest, you will receive your limited edition volunteer uniform, two free tickets to the DHL All-Star FanFest and two free Giants tickets to All-Star Volunteer Appreciation Night. Your participation is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check. Should your background check not meet the threshold established you will be notified prior to the orientation sessions. Otherwise we look forward to seeing you on July 3 or July 5! You will need to provide your own transportation to and from Orientation as well as to your scheduled assignments. We strongly suggest you use public transportation whenever possible. Parking will not be provided. Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you at Orientation!
Best Regards,Nikki Bivetto, Carolyn Della Maggiore, Jenny Jacobson and Linda Barletto
Hello MLBloggers-
I once was an MLBlogger but left due to a busy schedule. I have returned but I am still busy. Atleast I live an exciting life watching the A's go up and down during the season. We are currently 3rd place in the A.L West. We shall see how the rest of the season goes. I will keep rooting for the A's no matter what they go through.
I've been an A's fan since 1974 although I can't remember most of those games since I was only a year old. But I do remember my mom telling me about the games we went to when I was younger.
